Down south, they laughed off the tag, believing it wasn’t genuine and part of the psychological warfare teams often like to play.

Some at the Storm counter-claimed that if they are Barcelona than surely the Roosters are Real Madrid, the richest football club in the world which signs whichever player it wants because money is never an issue.

In other words, it could sign Cooper Cronk.

The apparent strained relationship between Cronk and Storm captain Cameron Smith has added to the animosity between the clubs.

It was interesting to learn this week that Roosters types noticed how Smith didn’t mention Cronk in his post-grand final speech.

Cronk, of course, played the match with a broken shoulder. It was heroic stuff — but it received scant mention from the Storm in the wash-up.

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Neither Cronk nor Smith have ever really discussed the falling-out. Those close to both of them say they’ve never heard either of them speak a bad word about each other.

What they do notice is how neither makes any reference to each other, like neither exists.

More subtext. More intrigue. Outstanding stuff.

The Good Friday clash at AAMI Park shapes as the game of the season thus far.

Both teams identified in the off-season the need to find momentum at the right time of the year. In other words, don’t gas yourself too early. Indeed, last year the Roosters saved their best performance of the season until the final match.

So far, Melbourne and the Roosters have been playing reasonable footy, doing enough to win or winning ugly when necessary.

There will be no such restraint tonight.

JIMMY SET TO JET OFF TO TITANS

Expect Broncos centre James Roberts to end up at the Gold Coast Titans — not South Sydney to replace Greg Inglis, who earlier this week announced his retirement.

Roberts and the Bunnies have had no dialogue whatsoever. If anything, the managers of every other off-contract player other than Roberts has contacted Souths about gobbling up all that luscious salary-cap space now on offer at Redfern.

Roberts has told those close to him he could easily fall into old habits with old friends if he returned to Sydney. It’s a mature way of thinking from a player who has had his troubles with alcohol.

Instead, Roberts wants to return to the Titans to play with his cousin, Tyrone.

The NRL must be as transparent as possible about exactly what Inglis will be paid by Souths in retirement, and how much of that will go onto Souths’ cap.

Souths officials met with NRL boss Todd Greenberg and salary-cap officials last week but no details about any settlement has yet been tabled.

As this column understands it, the terms of his post-career employment is spread out over the next six years.

NRL COURT OUT?

Far be it from any of us to pre-empt what the Federal Court will do, but legal types who have been carefully following the case between Jack de Belin and the NRL believe it will rule in favour of the exiled Dragons forward.

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De Belin is challenging the NRL’s "no fault" stand-down rule that makes him ineligible to play while he faces rape charges.

The NRL has been extremely confident about its legal position on this matter from day one, but those who have been following the case predict de Belin will be back playing soon.

NOT IN MY BACKYARD

The Israel Folau saga looks like it’s going to do what all great sports sagas do: drag on until most of us are barely interested any longer.

The word out of the Rugby Australia mothership is that the feedback from fans is split 50-50 about whether he should be sanctioned for his social media post about homosexuals going to hell. (I’m a lifelong Dragons fan: I’m already there).

One person who is definitely on Team Izzy is Jefferson Lillis, who took umbrage at our story last weekend about Folau performing baptisms in his own backyard.

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"As I live in the same units as the Folaus, there is no Baptising being done in our backyard," Jefferson wrote. "In fact, the Folaus are quiet, very respectful and nice residents, hardly ever seen due to their sporting commitments, but always friendly and pleasant. He puts up with people seeking selfies and autographs at any time."

Just to clarify, Folau and his father have been performing baptisms in the backyard pool of the family’s Kenthurst home — not his and wife Maria's apartment in Sydney’s east.

This column doesn’t suggest Israel is a bad fella. It’s just his anti-LGBT posts are wrong and dangerous for those who look up to him, regardless of his religious beliefs.

SPOTTED: ALLIANZ STADIUM. WELL, WHAT'S LEFT OF IT

An impromptu visit to the SCG earlier this week provided a rare look from the back of the Noble-Bradman Stand at the demolition of nearby Allianz.

Allianz Stadium.Credit:Andrew Webster.

It was weird to see the northern and southern stands where I sat many an afternoon or evening completely gone. The Nibbler was hangry, too, gouging into whatever was left of the stadium.

THE QUOTE

"This is a man who is possessed." – So thought the legendary Jack Nicklaus as he watched Tiger Woods hold his nerve and putter to win the US Masters.

THUMBS UP

Winx, who is now expected to have a grandstand at Royal Randwick named after her following her spectacular final race and victory in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Only problem now is finding champion horsies of her calibre to make sure it's always full.

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THUMBS DOWN

We interrupt this program with some breaking news from former rugby league bad boy John Hopoate about the Israel Folau "all youse gays are burning in hell" debate. Says Hoppa: “But 1 thing I can say is GOD MADE ADAM AND EVE NOT ADAM AND STEVE." Haven't heard that one for a while.

IT'S A BIG WEEKEND FOR ...

the SCG grass, which has been under intense scrutiny of late. It will have the Waratahs and Rebels running all over it on Saturday night in a Super Rugby fixture.

IT'S AN EVEN BIGGER WEEKEND FOR ...

the Sydney Swans. Sitting 15th on the AFL ladder, it's time to press "go" on their season, starting with Richmond at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.